Scooter Braun
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
The man who discovered teenage megastar Justin Bieber is Scooter Braun, a 31-year-old talent manager from Greenwich, Conn. Braun is known for finding promising acts on YouTube, drumming up an early fan base with more YouTube videos and then releasing his talent to the broader public with big name endorsements (which in Bieber’s case came from R&B icon Usher).
Bieber, 18, was raised by his single mother, a Christian who initially bristled at the idea of her son being represented by a Jewish manager. “I prayed, ‘God, you don’t want this Jewish kid to be Justin’s man, do you?’” she recalled in a 2009 New York Times profile. But now the Bieber team likes to hype its multi-faith character. Bieber says a Christian prayer before each show and then joins Braun and musical director Dan Kanter in singing the Sh’ma. Braun’s Jewish identity goes beyond his preshow prayers.
Being born Scott Samuel Braun, the grandson of Holocaust survivors, he told the Forward, had an “incredible influence” on his life. He grew up in a kosher home, and as a child he loved Superman because he’s the “Jewish superhero.” He even attended Camp Ramah.
This year, Braun signed Carly Rae Jepsen, another precocious young Canadian musical singer, proving himself as perhaps the preeminent pop talent scout of our time.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
